Wikipedia

Clayton County, Georgia

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This article is about the county in the state of Georgia. For the city in the state of Georgia, see Clayton, Georgia.

Clayton County is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 297,595 by the U.S. Census Bureau.[1] The county seat is Jonesboro.[2]

Clayton County
County
Clayton County Courthouse in Jonesboro
Clayton County Courthouse in Jonesboro
Official seal of Clayton County
Seal
Official logo of Clayton County
Logo
Map of Georgia highlighting Clayton County
Location within the U.S. state of Georgia
Map of the United States highlighting Georgia
Georgia's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°32′N 84°22′W / 33.54°N 84.36°W / 33.54; -84.36
Country United States
State Georgia
FoundedNovember 30, 1858; 166 years ago (1858)
Named forAugustin Smith Clayton
SeatJonesboro
Largest cityForest Park
Area
 • Total
144 sq mi (370 km2)
 • Land142 sq mi (370 km2)
 • Water2.8 sq mi (7 km2)  1.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
297,595
 • Estimate 
(2023)
298,300 Increase
 • Density2,101/sq mi (811/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts5th, 13th
Websiteclaytoncountyga.gov

Clayton County is one of the core counties of the Atlanta metropolitan area, and it is the fifth most-populous county in the state. It is the home of most of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport,[3] the busiest airport in the world by total passengers.[4]

History

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The county was established in 1858 and named in honor of Augustin Smith Clayton (1783–1839), who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1832 until 1835.[5]

Clayton County was a battle site during the American Civil War, with the Battle of Jonesborough and the Battle of Lovejoy's Station taking place in the area.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 144 square miles (370 km2), of which 142 square miles (370 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (1.9%) is water.[6] It is the third-smallest county by area in Georgia.

The eastern portion of Clayton County, between Forest Park and Lovejoy, is located in the Upper Ocmulgee River sub-basin of the Altamaha River basin. The western portion of the county is located in the Upper Flint River sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin).[7]

Adjacent counties

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Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18604,466—
18705,47722.6%
18808,02746.6%
18908,2953.3%
19009,59815.7%
191010,4538.9%
192011,1596.8%
193010,260−8.1%
194011,65513.6%
195022,87296.2%
196046,365102.7%
197098,043111.5%
1980150,35753.4%
1990182,05221.1%
2000236,51729.9%
2010259,4249.7%
2020297,59514.7%
2023 (est.)298,300[8]0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1880[10] 1890-1910[11]
1920-1930[12] 1930-1940[13]
1940-1950[14] 1960-1980[15]
1980-2000[16] 2010[17] 2020[18]
Clayton County, Georgia – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the U.S. census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[19] Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 82,637 36,610 25,902 34.94% 14.11% 8.70%
Black or African American alone (NH) 120,816 169,020 205,301 51.08% 65.15% 68.99%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 545 562 601 0.23% 0.22% 0.20%
Asian alone (NH) 10,562 12,839 13,491 4.47% 4.95% 4.53%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 126 103 119 0.05% 0.04% 0.04%
Other race alone (NH) 513 467 1,800 0.22% 0.18% 0.60%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 3,590 4,376 7,835 1.52% 1.69% 2.63%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17,728 35,447 42,546 7.50% 13.66% 14.30%
Total 236,517 259,424 297,595 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

At the 2020 United States census, there were 297,595 people, 97,030 households, and 62,746 families residing in the county. In 2000, it had a population of 236,517.[19]

In 2010, the racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 66.1% Black or African American, 18.87% non-Hispanic white, 5.0% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 7.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 13.66% of the population.[20] In terms of ancestry, 4.9% were "American".[21] By 2020, its makeup was 68.99% Black or African American, 8.70% non-Hispanic white, 0.20% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4.53% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% some other race, 2.63% multiracial, and 14.30% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The last quarter-century has seen significant change in the racial composition of the county's population. In 1980, Clayton county's population was 150,357 — 91% white and 9% minority,[22] while in 2006 the population was approximately 271,240 — 20% white and 80% minority.[23]

In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $43,311, and the median income for a family was $48,064. Males had a median income of $36,177 and $32,460 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,958. About 13.6% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.[24] In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $42,697, and the median income for a family was $46,782. Males had a median income of $32,118 versus $26,926 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,079. About 8.20% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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The unemployment rate in Clayton County was 3.4% as of November 2019. Future job growth over the next ten years was predicted to be at 29.90%. Clayton County's sales tax rate is 8.00%. The income tax is 6.00%. Clayton County's income and salaries per capita is $18,735, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $39,699.

ValuJet Airlines was headquartered in northern, unincorporated Clayton County, near Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in the 1990s.[25]

Education

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Main article: Clayton County Public Schools

2008 de-accreditation

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The 50,000-student school system was the first in the nation to lose accreditation since 1969. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) revoked the school district's accreditation on August 28, 2008.[26] It was only the second system in the nation to do so since 1960. A grand jury investigated and considered possible criminal indictments against the Clayton County School Board. At issue was whether the school board committed malfeasance in ignoring the shortcomings of the school system and violating its own rules concerning the awarding of bids of contracts.

School Board Chairwoman Ericka Davis announced her resignation on April 2, 2008, amidst the allegations. Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell called for the resignations of all Clayton County School Board members.[27] Amid controversy and orders for the police to quiet citizens, the Clayton County School Board hired a new temporary superintendent on April 26, 2008. This was despite the fact that the new superintendent did not meet the qualifications set forth by SACS.[28]

The Clayton County Public School System was re-accredited by SACS on May 1, 2009.[29]

Higher education

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Clayton State University is located in Morrow.

Media

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  • Clayton Crescent:[30] news about Clayton County and adjoining areas, part of the Institute for Nonprofit News
  • Clayton News[31] (formerly Clayton News-Daily): county legal organ, part of the Southern Community Newspapers, Inc. chain
  • South Atlanta Magazine:[32] lifestyle and profiles magazine focusing on Clayton County
  • CCTV23:[33] Clayton County government access television (Ch. 23 on Xfinity, Ch. 99 on AT&T UVerse)

Crime and policing

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The Clayton County Police Department has an authorized strength of 525 personnel headed by Chief Kevin Roberts.[34] Other law enforcement services (courts, jail, warrants) are provided by the Clayton County Sheriff's Office.[35]

On April 26, 2021, Sheriff Victor Hill was indicted on charges of federal civil rights violations.[36] On June 2, 2021, he was suspended by Governor Brian Kemp following a review of the indictment.[37] On October 26, 2022, Sheriff Victor Hill was found guilty of violating civil rights of jail detainees.[38]

Politics

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For most of the 1960s to the 1980s, Clayton County was a swing county. It voted for Governor Jimmy Carter in 1976 with around 65 percent of the vote, but then voted for Ronald Reagan with over 70 percent of the vote in 1984. However, due to extensive in-migration by Democratic-voting African-Americans from surrounding areas, starting in 1992 Clayton County has swung heavily Democratic and is now one of the most Democratic counties in the country.

United States presidential election results for Clayton County, Georgia[39]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 16,877 15.11% 94,203 84.31% 649 0.58%
2020 15,811 14.07% 95,466 84.94% 1,114 0.99%
2016 12,645 13.51% 78,220 83.59% 2,715 2.90%
2012 14,164 14.72% 81,479 84.67% 587 0.61%
2008 16,506 16.59% 82,527 82.93% 481 0.48%
2004 23,106 29.01% 56,113 70.46% 424 0.53%
2000 19,966 32.52% 40,042 65.21% 1,394 2.27%
1996 20,625 37.34% 30,687 55.55% 3,930 7.11%
1992 23,965 41.33% 25,890 44.65% 8,134 14.03%
1988 28,225 65.43% 14,689 34.05% 223 0.52%
1984 31,553 72.84% 11,763 27.16% 0 0.00%
1980 19,160 50.35% 17,540 46.10% 1,351 3.55%
1976 12,905 37.58% 21,432 62.42% 0 0.00%
1972 23,681 86.36% 3,740 13.64% 0 0.00%
1968 8,256 35.22% 3,517 15.01% 11,665 49.77%
1964 10,488 64.08% 5,869 35.86% 10 0.06%
1960 2,953 33.39% 5,892 66.61% 0 0.00%
1956 1,593 22.39% 5,522 77.61% 0 0.00%
1952 1,230 23.26% 4,058 76.74% 0 0.00%
1948 339 10.29% 2,192 66.50% 765 23.21%
1944 245 11.81% 1,828 88.14% 1 0.05%
1940 161 10.42% 1,382 89.45% 2 0.13%
1936 175 11.44% 1,352 88.37% 3 0.20%
1932 35 2.49% 1,361 97.01% 7 0.50%
1928 619 50.28% 612 49.72% 0 0.00%
1924 46 11.68% 273 69.29% 75 19.04%
1920 34 6.68% 475 93.32% 0 0.00%
1916 3 0.50% 517 86.89% 75 12.61%
1912 3 0.54% 443 79.25% 113 20.21%
1908 223 38.32% 248 42.61% 111 19.07%
1904 59 10.50% 333 59.25% 170 30.25%
1900 179 32.02% 346 61.90% 34 6.08%
1896 472 46.41% 516 50.74% 29 2.85%
1892 335 27.59% 518 42.67% 361 29.74%
1888 224 27.05% 604 72.95% 0 0.00%
1884 279 35.59% 505 64.41% 0 0.00%
1880 148 27.92% 382 72.08% 0 0.00%
Board of Commissioners
District Commissioner Party

Transportation

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Airports

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Major highways

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Mass transit

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Bus

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MARTA and Xpress GA / RTA commuter buses serve the county.

Rail

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Commuter rail service is proposed to serve Clayton County along the Norfolk Southern line,[40] with proposed stations in Forest Park, Morrow, Jonesboro, and initially ending at Lovejoy.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's Airport station is located in Clayton.

Pedestrians and cycling

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  • Jesters Creek Trail
  • Morrow Trail
  • Clayton Connects
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Parts of Margaret Mitchell's epic 1936 novel Gone with the Wind and the famous 1939 motion picture Gone with the Wind were set in Clayton County, including the location of the fictional plantation Tara. Tara Boulevard was named for the plantation; it is the main north–south road through the county, carrying U.S. 41 and lesser-known State Route 3. Parts of the novels Rhett Butler's People and Scarlett and the Scarlett television miniseries also took place in Clayton County. Rhett Butler's People is a prequel, sequel, and companion to Gone with the Wind. Scarlett is a sequel to Gone with the Wind, taking place briefly in Clayton County. The fictional Twelve Oaks Plantation and others mentioned in these novels are located in and around Clayton County. Mitchell's family's plantation Rural Home was located in Clayton County.[citation needed]

The 2012 film Flight features Clayton County throughout the film.[citation needed]

Parts of the film Smokey and the Bandit were shot in and around Clayton County, namely in Jonesboro, as evidenced by a sign in the background of one of the scenes. Although this particular scene was supposed to be set in Arkansas, a "Willow Bend" sign advertising brick homes in Clayton County can be spotted behind Sheriff George Branford. Many back roads and the movie town of Texarkana are the roads and the town of Jonesboro.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Georgia". U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Hartsfield-Jackson Intl Airport Overview and FBOs (Atlanta, GA) [KATL/ATL]". FlightAware. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  4. ^ Hunter, Marnie (April 11, 2022). "This US airport has reclaimed its title as the world's busiest". CNN.com.
  5. ^ Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-9154-3000-0. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 10, 2003.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Interactive Mapping Experience". Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  9. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "1880 Census Population by Counties 1790-1800" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
  11. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1910.
  12. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1930.
  13. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1940.
  14. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Georgia -" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1950.
  15. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1980.
  16. ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Georgia" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2000.
  17. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Clayton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Clayton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ a b "P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Clayton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  21. ^ "DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  22. ^ "Index of /Census_1980/D1". Archived from the original on November 26, 2001. Retrieved March 27, 2008. at the Library of Congress (November 26, 2001)[dead link‍]
  23. ^ "Clayton County, Georgia". United States Census Bureau. 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
  24. ^ "DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  25. ^ "Civil Action No. 1-96-CV-1355-JTC Archived September 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine." Stanford Law School. Retrieved on May 19, 2009.
  26. ^ Matteucci, Megan (August 28, 2008). "Clayton schools lose accreditation; board members ousted". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
  27. ^ Matteucci, Megan (April 2, 2008). "Clayton school board chairwoman steps down". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  28. ^ Matteucci, Megan (May 1, 2008). "Clayton signs school chief's contract amid police presence". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  29. ^ Clayton County Public Schools Receive Re-accreditation. Georgia Education News May 1, 2009. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.
  30. ^ Clayton Crescent
  31. ^ Clayton News
  32. ^ South Atlanta Magazine
  33. ^ CCTV23
  34. ^ "Home Page". Clayton County Police Department. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  35. ^ "Home Page". Clayton County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  36. ^ "Clayton Co. Sheriff Victor Hill Indicted on Federal Civil Rights Violations". US Department Of Justice (DOJ). April 27, 2021. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021.
  37. ^ Hannah Sarisohn and Travis Caldwell. "Georgia governor suspends sheriff indicted on federal civil rights charges". CNN. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  38. ^ "Sheriff Victor Hill found guilty of civil rights violations in federal trial and sentenced to 18 months in federal prison". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  39. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  40. ^ Wickert, David (December 6, 2018). "MARTA approves plans for Clayton County commuter train". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
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33°32′N 84°22′W / 33.54°N 84.36°W / 33.54; -84.36

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